So like always when it comes to long blogs, I'm really late on getting this one posted...just about a month late but here it goes...
Hannah's first Christmas was spent in Pensacola, Florida which is my home and where all my relatives still live. We decided to take the long trek down there the Thursday night before Christmas. We have decided that will be the first and last time we do that. Even though we made good time and Hannah slept pretty much the whole way, Paul and I were struggling to stay awake and when we eventually got to Pensacola at 6am, Hannah was ready to play and we were about to crash. It took us a few days to recover and get back on track. Plus, Hannah was on Charleston time so she was waking up between 5:30 & 6. I didn't want to try to get her on Pensacola time so we just had to stay with the schedule. So much for those vacations when we got to sleep in...those are long gone!
Just arriving at Gigi and Pop's house and she went straight to the tree (6am Pensacola time)
We were in Pensacola for a week but it flew by with trying to see everyone. We got to have a couple of lunch dates with friends which was great to be able to catch up on everything. We had Christmas with my mom's side of the family the Sunday before Christmas. Hannah enjoyed all the company and playing with her second cousins. We had not seen them since May so it was great to spend some time with everyone. Instead of giving presents to everyone we do the White Elephant game which is a lot of fun. It makes for some good laughs and memories. Hannah slept through it but was awake for Hot Potato which we played with this little Santa that had a buzzer. She wanted to just hold on to the little guy and chew on him. Of course we had to play Bingo since that's Granny's favorite. My Granny is pretty quite and reserved but when it comes to Bingo, she gets pretty competitive. It's great to watch her expressions through the whole thing. While we played, Hannah was checking out all of Emma's goodies in her purse.
Opening up a gift from Aunt Di and Sierra
Sitting with Granny
Looks like Hannah had a little brawl with Rudolph :)
Playing Hot Potato
"What do I do with this thing?" Hannah kept his hat :)
Marilyn stopped by to sing a couple of carols. She has a beautiful voice!
Playing in Emma's purse
Sittin' with Pop
Since Hannah was sick much of December she wasn't able to wear her Christmas dresses I had gotten her for church. So, we dressed her up on Christmas Eve and went to see Santa at the mall. The line was about 45 minutes long but she was in her stroller and content so we decided to wait. Of course she decided to take a nap and I had to wake her up right before she was to see Santa so she was groggy and out of it. I sort of felt bad waking her up but after waiting in line that long I couldn't just walk away without a picture. We got one alright and it cracks me up every time I look at Hannah's expression on her face. She didn't look too impressed with Santa. After pictures we were headed to the Christmas Eve service but when we got there we found out that due to the rain earlier in the day they had decided to move it in doors and was a little later that evening. With Hannah's nap schedule off and almost time for her to eat we decided to head back to the house because she wasn't going to do well for the service. One of our Christmas traditions is to open presents on Christmas Eve so we did that and let Hannah play with her toys a little bit. She got into it a little more than before but she was a little tired so she didn't stay up long after.
Lunch before Santa
Taking a nap before Santa
Opening up presents on Christmas Eve
These two are a mess!
Daddy putting together the new toy
Dancing
Christmas Day we headed out to my Dad's house to celebrate Christmas with him. My aunt and uncle came in from Texas and my grandparents were there. It was good to see them since it had been a while. We enjoyed a nice lunch and spending time with everyone.
Opening up stockings before heading to Grandpa's house
Hannah enjoying the bag
Four generations
Of course we did a little shopping here and there. My mom and I can't be together without shopping a few times during the visit. My cousin Sierra went with us the day after Christmas to Folly. We did a little damage but not too bad :) Later that night we celebrated my birthday at McGuires. Paul got me a Roomba (self cleaning vacuum). I had been wanting one but they are a little on the pricey side. I know some people may not have gotten excited about it but I sure was. It has been great! We have wood and tile throughout the first floor and I felt like I was constantly having to vacuum to keep the floors clean. Now I don't have to :) Of course they still need mopping but the Roomba is a huge help. If only they could make things like this to do all your household chores :)
McGuire's
Even though it was chilly we had to make a trip to the beach. We weren't there for long because it was windy but you just can't beat the Panhandle's beaches.
Later in the week we met up with a friend of mine from high school, Sarah. Hannah enjoyed playing with her little girl. Claire was so sweet to share her toys with Hannah. We went out to lunch with them and met up with another good friend of ours, Mandy, and her family. It was so great to see everyone. Since we are all living in different locations it's hard to meet up these days. The holidays seem to be the only time we are all home. We were missing Christin but thankfully Paul, Hannah and I got to meet up with her and her husband earlier in the week for lunch. I am so thankful for these girls and miss them dearly!
Of course Hannah decided to take a nap at lunch so we couldn't get a picture of all the girls
Hannah's first experience with a fish tank...hillarious!
Before we left we made sure to make another visit to see my Granny in rehab. She had broken her pelvis a month earlier. Hannah loved jumping on her bed and I know Granny loved seeing her.
Overall we had a great visit seeing everyone and Hannah's first Christmas will be one to remember.
